Demographic, clinic and laboratory characteristics of cases presented to emergency department with scorpion sting: 345 cases over a 4-years period

Introduction: In the scorpion stings, based on the involved system, clinical and laboratory changes may be seen in a wide spectrum from mild pain and flushing to death. The present study was aimed to assess patient demographics, clinical characteristics and outcomes. Methods:All patients presented to emergency department with scorpion sting between 2008 and 2011 were retrospectively evaluated by using electronic database. Results: Overall, 345 cases were included into the study, consisting of 160 male (46.4%) and 185 female (53.6%) with a mean age of 34.39±19.47 years. It was found that scorpion sting patients were most commonly stung at extremities (n=322; 93.3%).The most commonly observed complaint was pain (n=334; 96.8%).Localized flushing and edema were observed in 307 cases (89.0%). In the laboratory evaluation, it was found that mean values of complete blood counts, biochemistry assays and prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were within normal range. Of the cases, 99.4%(n=343) were discharged, while two children (0.6%) died due to cardiac and respiratory complications. Conclusions: Since complete blood count and coagulation assays may be normal, these assays aren't routinely needed in all cases with scorpion sting. Anti-serum therapy should be considered at early course of the disease in children and elderly patients due to complications and mortality; it should be intravenously administered if indicated, but it should not be used in all patients

A Radiographic Correlation between Renal and Pulp Stones

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between pulp stones and renal stones. This study also aimed to report associations between the presence of pulp stone and gender, age, tooth type, dental arches and sides

Normal hip, knee and ankle range of motion in the Turkish population

Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect of gender and cultural habits on hip, knee and ankle range of motion (ROM) and to determine the differences between the ROM of right and left side symmetric joints of the lower extremities.Methods: The study included 987 (513 males and 474 females) healthy volunteers. Individuals with a history of illness, prior surgery or trauma involving any joint of either lower extremity were excluded from the study. The terminology and techniques of measurements used were those suggested by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Results: Left side passive hip flexion and active internal rotation was higher than the right side. Passive flexion of the hip joint was higher in male subjects and internal and external rotation was higher in female subjects. In the knee joint, passive extension was higher in males. Plantarflexion and inversion of the ankle joint were higher in male subjects and dorsiflexion and eversion were higher in female subjects. The differences were considered insignificant in clinical terms as all were less than 3 degrees.Conclusion: There is no clinically significantly difference between right and left side hip, knee and ankle joints ROM. Gender and cultural habits do not appear to have clinically significantly effects on lower extremity joint ROM